Bradley Solomon is an Independent Educational Consultant at Solomon College Advising, a San Francisco-based counseling service dedicated to guiding students and families through the college admissions process. Students work closely with Bradley on pre-college planning, including developing a college list, editing college essays, and completing applications. After a successful career as a trial attorney with the California Attorney General's Office, Bradley decided to focus on guiding families through the college application process. He graduated with honors from the UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program and interned at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School and with private counselors at College Admission Coach.

The college admissions journey can be overwhelming, filled with questions about grades, extracurriculars, and essays. Families often wonder when it’s the right time to start planning and how students can position themselves for success. With acceptance rates shrinking and competition rising, how will students and parents navigate this high-stakes process without losing balance?

According to Bradley Solomon, a seasoned college counselor with years of experience guiding families, the best time to start planning is the first day of high school. He highlights that every decision — from course selection to summer activities — can significantly impact a student's application acceptance. Critical strategies are building strong teacher relationships, taking on meaningful extracurriculars, and maintaining focus on a few key activities rather than overloading themselves. These choices, combined with early college visits, not only enhance applications but also inspire students to strive for their best while staying organized and focused.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar sits down with Bradley Solomon, Independent Educational Consultant at Solomon College Advising, to discuss how families can approach the college planning process with confidence. They explore practical advice for each high school year, strategies for creating a strong application, and the importance of a well-balanced college list. Bradley also shares tips for reducing stress, maintaining balance, and finding the best college fit for every student.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Bradley Solomon on LinkedIn
• Solomon College Advising: Website | Free Consultation
• College Confidential
• The College Tour
• Forbes America’s Top Colleges
• College Kickstart
• CollegePlannerPro

Matt Strain is the Founder and Principal at The-Prompt.ai, a consultancy dedicated to helping businesses adopt and integrate AI tools to enhance productivity and drive innovation. With a strong background in technology, leadership, AI and a knack for making complex technology accessible, Matt works with companies across industries to adopt AI and create practical, effective solutions. He has been featured in prominent publications like The New York Times and Forbes and frequently shares insights on using AI as a strategist, educator, creative partner, and consultant.

In an era when artificial intelligence is increasingly woven into both professional and personal realms, knowing how to leverage its capabilities can make a huge difference. Can AI be more than just a tool? Can AI be a creative partner in shaping ideas, creating solutions and enhancing our productivity?

According to Matt Strain, an AI strategist and consultant, AI isn’t just a faster and better search engine; it’s a dynamic partner capable of sparking new idea, unlocking capabilities and creating efficiencies with ease.

Matt highlights that AI's real value shines when it’s used beyond search or summarizing data, but rather by challenging our thinking and expanding our capabilities. By treating AI like a creative collaborator, users can unlock solutions that may have otherwise gone unexplored. This approach enables professionals and everyday users alike to broaden their capabilities, saving time on routine tasks while expanding their possibilities.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Matt Strain, Founder and Principal at The-Prompt.ai, to discuss how AI can be harnessed as a creative partner in both work and life. They explore practical applications that save time, how to integrate AI for business strategies, and ways to use it as a tool for innovation. Matt also shares advice on overcoming common AI fears and misconceptions.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Matt Strain on LinkedIn
• The Prompt
• The Prompt Pillar6 Podcast Resources
• The Prompt AI Fundamentals